Horseshoe Loop

Of the variety of trails in and around Irvine Regional Park, the Horseshoe Loop may offer hikers the widest variety of terrain and mix of trail features.

The Horseshoe Loop Trail circles the perimeter of the park, covering 3.3 miles. Over that distance, it tends not to bypass the interior areas of the park such as the picnic benches, the lake and the lawns, and instead follows several small hills as they climb to overlook points that offer views of the surrounding mountains and landscape.

The trail overlaps with with several other park trails, as well as intersecting with some of the other trails of interest. As such, hikers on the Horseshoe Loop will encounter a variety of trail types and surfaces along their walks, including dirt single track, hard packed fire road, paved roads restricted to park officials, and shared equestrian paths. Much of the hike is dusty and exposed, however the trail passes by parking areas, bathrooms and benches at a few points. 

Worth stopping at is the overlook gazebo on the trail's south side after a brief climb up switchbacks which provides views over the treetop canopy of the park stretching out to the Santa Ana Mountains in the distance.

The Horseshoe Loop can be accessed from any of the park's perimeter parking lots. Hikers are subject to Irvine Regional Park regulations such as fees and open hours.